From: RustyBullethole, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sunderland Echo 23.2.01 Hospital `drama' that could be all too real ARMED police were called to a Durham hospital accident and emergency department yesterday after reports that an armed man was holding patients and staff hostage. Fortunately the incident was only an exerise; but officials say it is the sort of situation that can happen and gun-toting police officers have to be prepared to deal with them. Twice in recent years officers have been called to Dryburn Hospital to deal with reports of an armed person. A handgun-wielding patient also struck at Sunderland Royal Hospital in 1999. All cases ended without shots being fired. Over the last two days armed bobbies have been back at the Durham hospital taking part In an exercise to train for real-life emergencies and get an idea of the casualty department building's layout. Hospital staff also took part in the exercise to help make It as realistic as possible. A Durham Police spokesman said: "The scenario Is that of a gunman taking hostages. Officers have to find him in the building. "It Is also useful from the hospital's side because staff need to know what to do In those sort of circumstances." ___________________ The story is accompanied by a dramatic photograph showing several police officers, aiming guns and holding shields in a hospital ward door way, whilst clad in more kevlar than Concorde's new fuel tanks. To promote such exercises on the basis of a couple incidents involving two idiots with replicas is a bit surprising, I wonder how much it all cost? The problem with such preparations is that when push comes to shove they will be more tempted to go in, the end result being a dead idiot with an airsoft in his hand, or less likely, hostages being shot with a real firearm. The whole exercise would have been more appropriate at Liverpool's Alder Hey hospital, or not, depending on what you would consider appropriate for those involved in the organ scandal. Of course the "war games" could just be a good old ruse aimed at cornering a nurse or two! - that said Durham have perhaps the best record in the country in defusing armed incidents and they are actively looking into non-lethal alternatives. Rusty Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________________________ T O P I C A -- Learn More. Surf Less. Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose. http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01
